Create.

projects Barras Lane

Create have designed and received approval for two new industrial/commercial units at Barras Lane Industrial Estate.

The British Steel coated metal sheeting outer skin was originally “warranted” for a life of 17 years in a “marine environment”; the Barras Lane site being very close to the northern shores of the Island is affected by a heavily salt laden atmosphere and the outer skin was showing signs of corrosion and beginning to suffer from water ingress during periods of heavy rain. Following a detailed inspection by Create surveyors and it was decided that several issues needed to be addressed:

• The heavily corroded outer skin should be replaced using similar materials from Corus (formerly British Steel) and the insulation upgraded throughout the roof voids; side walls would be insulated for the first time.
• The concrete formed guttering would be removed and replaced with steel formed guttering to match the new external skin.
• The double glazed UPVC windows and doors which had become opaque through age and corrosion would be replaced with powder coated aluminium double glazed with modern argon sealed UV protection glass panels.
• The heavily corroded sliding scissor doors should be replaced like for like.
• The toilet blocks would be renewed and new sanitary ware and water heaters to be fitted.

During the course of the refurbishment several other smaller works have been carried out to generally improve and update both the units and the site to comply with modern buildings regulations and current standards. Landscaping of the existing substantial planters and tree planting around the site will be carried out at the end of the project.

It was appreciated from the outset that the biggest challenge would to complete all the work with the tenants in situ and with minimum disruption to their business. Tenants would ultimately benefit from reduced energy costs and a more pleasant working environment.